Circuit-controller



A. J. HORTON. CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.. APPLlc/mon FILED JULY 15,19l5.

Patented July 27, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A. l. HORTON.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNiTEDsTATEs inirizrrrv OFFICE.

ALBERT J. Hon'ron, on WHITE PLAINS,y NEW YORK.

CIRCUIT-CONTROLLER.

To all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, ALBERT J. HORTON, a citizen ofl vthe United States, residing at lNhite Plains, in Vthe county of Testchester and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Circuit-Controllers, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exactV description, reference being had to the' accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

rlhis invention relates to improvements in circuit controllers. More particularly it relates to controllers for sewing machine mo tors, although it will be apparent that conf trollers embodying the various features of the invention may be advantageously em ployed in other relations.

(,)nc of the objects `of the invention is to provide a simple, compact and reliable controller embodying a combined almtting and sliding contact switch mechanism.

A further object is to provide a spring returned controller adapted to automatically interrupt circuit should the return spring` break or become otherwise disabled,

A further object is to provide an inclosed controller having a removable cover with simplified means whereby removal of said cover disconnects the controller from circuit. n

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawing illustrates one embodiment of the invention and the same will now be described, it being understood that the invention is susceptible of embodiment invarious other forms falling within the scope of the appended claims.

ln the drawings, y

4Figure l is a perspective view'of the controller; l

F ig. 2 is a,k front elevation of the controller with the cover thereof removed;

Fig. 2:3 is a sectional view on line 3 3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the insulating base contained within the casing;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 'LL-5, Fig. 2; and,

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the use of the controller for governing an electric motor. y

Briefly described the controller includes an insulating base l carrying a resistance 2 and stationary contacts 3, 4, 5, G, 7, 8, a mov- Specification `of Letters Patent.

Application mea :ruiy 15,

y Patented July 27, 1920. i915. serial No. 40,122.

able contact 9 to cooperate with said station# ary contacts, an inclosing casing 10 for the aforesaid parts, an external operating member llly for the contact member 9 and a mechanical brake'l2 for the controlled motor fixed to said contactoperating member 1l. The casing l() has a removable cover 13 provided with a plug` 14 adapted for connection to the line wires and cooperating with terininal lugs l5 and 1G on the insulating` base l.

More specifically considering the switch mechanism the movable contact 9 functions as an abutment contact to engage and bridge contacts 3 and 8 and as a sliding contact to progressively engage and bridge contacts 4, 5, G and 7 with contact S, the contacts 3 to 7 being connected to the resistance 2. The Contact 9 comprises a bar swiveled at 2() to the end of an arm 2i fulcrumed on a pin 22 projecting laterallyfrom a second arm23 lixed toA a shaft 24 extending transversely through the casing l0. The arm 2l has a lateral lugv 25 to abut a shoulder 26 on the arm 23 and a spring 27 mounted on the shaft 24 acts upon the arm 2l to normally effect abutment of said lug and shoulder. Thus the arm 21 is normally held in a fixed relation with respect to the arm 23 whereby rotation of the shaft 24 in a counter-clock wise direction will eifect movement of contact 9 to make abutting engagement with the stationary contacts 3 and 8. ()n the other hand, after the contact 9 initially engages the stationarycontacts the pivotal connection of arms 2l and 23 permits a play of said arms against the action of spring 27 to force the contact 9 slidingly over the remaining contacts upon continued rotation of shaft 24. The spring thus reacts upon the arm Y 2l Vand contact/9 toY hold the latter firmly against the stationary contacts and upon rcverse operationof the shaft 24 maintains the contact 9 in engagement with the stationary contacts until it swings clear of the same by outward movement. Accordingly the mechanism functions as an abutment type switch to initially complete circuit and to finally interrupt circuit, and as a sliding type switch to vary the resistance. In this connection it is to be noted that the spring 27 is so arranged as to function both for the purpose just described and also for return of the controller when released. (.)ne extremity 28 of thisspring bears against a screw 29 ixedwithin the casing whil'eits opposite extremity 3() bears against a roller 31 carried by a bellV crank extension 32 of the arm 21. Further, it is vto be noted that if the spring Q7 should break or become otherwise disabled the arm 21 would be freed and that said arm is so disposed as to swing contact 9 clear of the stationary con-- tacts under such conditions (see dotted lines, Fig. 3). This insures against use of the controller in a disabled condition and in consequence constitutes an important and highly desirable protective feature,

The base 1 is preferably of porcelain and is secured within the casing by screws 33, 34. and 35 threading` into bosses on the rear wall of said casing. rThe base is so shaped as to give clearance for the contact carrying arm 21, to provide a channel 36 for the resistance and, as shown in Fig. 3, to provide a bushing 37 for a conductor outlet in the rear of the casing. The resistance 2 is shown in the form ofwire wound around the base in the channel 3G and provided with an insulating covering, such as cement, to adhere to the base. The resistance has leads 38, 39, 40,` 41 and 42 which are connected to the contacts 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively, it being understood that these leads are connected to different points on the resistance. Each of the contacts 3 to 7 comprises a bolt passing through the base, the head of the same forming a binding post for the resistance lead at the rear of the base and the nut thereof serving` for its contact portion. The contact 8 comprises an oblong block secured to the base by screws 43 and 44, Fig. 4, while the aforesaid line terminals 15 and 16 comprise headed studs projecting through the base from the rear thereof. The studs 15 and 16 are slidable in bearings 50 andare pressed forwardl in said bearings b sarinffs 51 and .Y s s 52. '.lhe spring 51, which bears against the stud 16, is secured to the base by the securing screw 44 of the contact 8;, whereby the spring provides for electrical connection between said stud and Ysaid contact. The spring` 52 bearing against the stud 15 is secured to the base by a bolt 53 forming a bindingrpost, said stud 15 beingelectrically independent of the Aparts described. In addition to the aforesaid electrical parts the base also carries binding posts 54, 55 and 56 for the connections shown in Fig. 6.

{eferring to F ig, G, the same shows a compound motonM having an armature A, a series field F and a shunt iield f. The motor, armature and series field are connected between binding posts 55 and 56, the formerbeing connected to binding post 53 and thence to line terminall, while the latter is connected4 to contact 7. The shunt field of the motor` on the other hand. is con.- .nected between binding posts 55 and 54, the

latter being-connected to Contact 3. Thus, with the resistance connected to the contacts 3 to T and wiltlisthe contact 8 connected to the terminalstud 1G, as above set forth, it will. be' apparent that the bridging of contacts 3 and 3 will complete the motor circuit through all of the resistance 2, whereas movement of the contact 9 over the stationary contacts will gradually exclude the resistance from circuit. in this connection it will be observed that there are three leads from the controller to the motor, namely those from binding posts 54, 55 and 5G, and upon reference to Fig, 2 it will be noted that these leads are connected to the binding posts on the front of the base and are taken out of the casing through the bushing '3T provided by the base.

The construction of the plug on the cover of the casing is best illustrated in Figs. and It includes an insulating block (Si) secured to the casing by screws G1 and having terminal members G2 yand G3 fixed in spaced recesses therein. At their outer ends the terminal members 62 and G3 are provided with binding screws G4 and G5 respectively while the inner ends of said members are recessed to receive the pointso;F the terminal studs 15 and 1G carried by the base 1. rThe arrangement is obviously such that the terminal members on the cover will register with and engage the terminal studs on the base when the cover is set in place and moreover will press the studs inwardly against the springs to insure firm engagement between the terminal parts. As will be understood the binding screws G4 and G5 are provided for connection to the supply wires and the insulating block 60 is provided with a flange 66 which, together with an insulating plate GT on the casing, forms a complete inclosure for the binding` screws except for a notch 68 in the lower flange to provide an inlet for the line wires. The insulating plate G7 is secured in place by screws (39 whereby it may be readily removed to give access to the binding screws for connection to the line wires.

The cover 13 of the casing is secured in place by hooks 70. These hooks, as illustrated in Fig. 3, have shanks slidably mounted in the ends of the casing and provided with springs 71 tending to retract-the same in their sockets. The cover is provided with notches 72 to receive the shanks of said hooks, said notches being adapted to register with said Shanks and the locking of the cover being effected by turning the hooks to the positionsindicated in Fig. 1. rlhe notches are provided with vside flanges T3 having cam edges 74 whereby the hooks are secured against accidental turning but yet may be turned where desired with only a comparativelyslight resistance.

As illustrated, the controller is arranged for suspension in a vertical position, being treadle.

The brake l2 comprises a holder carrying a brake shoe 7 8 of leather or other suitable material, said holder being xed to a rod 79 adjustably secured as by a set screw 80 in a bearing 8l provided on the member-1l. As will be understood, thebrake is arranged to engage the pulley of the driving motor and 'is to be set and released upon movement oi' the ycontroller to circuit making and breakingposition. Thus the direct connection of the brake tothe member ll will insure the desired relative operations of the brake and contioller and the particular connection between the brake and member il will permit adjustment of the former in all directions.

lVhat l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters `Patent is: Y

l. In a circuit controller, the combination with stationary contacts and a Contact member adapted tocoperate therewith, of means ior operating said contact member in an abutting relation relative to certain or said contacts and in a sliding relation with respect to .other of said contacts, said means including a return spring),` so associated with said member as to render engagement thereot' withr said stationary contacts dependent upon said spring.

2. In a circuit controller, the combination with stationary contacts and a coperating movable Contact, of means for operating the latter contact in an abutting relation with respect to certain of said iixed contacts and in a. sliding relation with respect to other of said {iXed contacts, while maintaining a tendency oi said movable contact to become and remain disengaged from said iiXed contacts, said operating means including a return spring so associated with said movable contact as'to render engagementof said fixed and movable contacts dependent upon saidl spring. n

8. ln a circuitcontroller, the combination with stationary contacts and a movable contact adapted to cooperate therewith, of means for effecting operation of said movable contact both as an abutting and asa sliding contact with respect to said iixed contacts while at all times maintaining a tendency of the former against engagement with the latter, said means including a spring tor rendering the same efective to cause engagement ot said contacts irrespective or such tendency an d for imposing upon said movable contact a positive bias against such engagement.

4. In a circuit controller, the combination `ing with stationary contacts, or a cooperating contact, supporting meanstheret'or providan abutting and a sliding movement thereoil relative to certain ot said stationary contacts, an operating member. and a single spring normally biasing said movable contact out oit engagement with said stationary contacts, engagement of said stationary contacts by said movable contact being dependent upon said spring.

5. In a circuit controller, the combination with stationary contacts, of a cooperating contact having means supporting the same for abutting movement with respect to eertain ot said stationary contacts and sliding movement with respect to other or said stationary contacts, an operating member Jfor said movable contact and-a return spring `for said movable contact so associated therewith as to tension the same against said stationary contacts when operated by said member and to render engagement ot said movable contact with said stationary contacts dependent upon its action.

6. In a circuit controller, in combination, a base, a plurality of contacts ii'xed to one side thereof, a movable contact, means supporting said movable contact'to swing in a plane perpendicular to the plane or said fined contacts and also to move in a plane parallel thereto, said movableI contact tending to swing away from the plane ol" said fixed contacts and a spring associated with said supporting means and said movable Contact to both normally bias said movable contact away 'from said fixed contacts and press said movable contact against said iixed contacts throughout a given range of movement ofthe former.4 Y K 7. In a circuit controller, in combination, a base, a plurality of contacts iiXed to one side thereof, a movable contact, means supporting said movable contact to swing in a plane perpendicular to thel plane oi said i'iXed contacts for causing abutting engagement therewith and also to move in a plane parallel thereto for sliding engagement, said movable contact being pivotally supported Aby saidmeans and tending to swing away from the plane of said fixed contacts, and a spring associated with said supporting means and said movable contact to both bias said movable contact relatively to said "supporting means and toward said fixed contacts and bias said supporting means to disengage said movable contacts from said iixed contacts.

8. In a circuit controller, in combination,

`a supporting base, a series of contacts fixed thereto, a pivoted arm movable in a plane at right angles to the plane of said contacts5 and a contact member ulcrumed to said arm to coperate with certain contacts of said series in an abutting relation and with other of said contacts in a sliding relation,

said contact member having a tensioning spring and being disposed on said arm to move away trom said series of contacts lwhen relieved of the tension of said spring tacts in an abutting relation and with certain others in a sliding` relation, said contact having a tensioning` spring and heilig disposed on said arm to move away 'from the plane oi said series ot contacts when relieved o'l the tension ot said. sinking and said spring serving aise as a permanent biasing means for said arm.

l0. ln a circuit controller, the combination with stationary contacts, of a pivoted arm, a contact member' fulcrumed to said arm to be thereby operable as an abutting and sliding contact with respect to said stationary contacts, and a single spring biasing said arm in one direction relative to said lixed contacts irrespective ot the position et said arm, and biasing said contact in one direction with respect to said arm.

ll. in a circuit controller, the combination with a series oi stationary contacts, of a pivoted arm, a contact member pivoted to said arm to be thereby operable in an abutting and sliding relation with respect to said. stationary contacts, said contact member in all positions of said arm tending' to swing away from said stationary contacts and a return spring for said arm also acting upon said contact member when operated to tension the same against said stationary contacts.

l2. ln a circuit controller, in combination, an insulating base, switch contacts and terminal devices carried by said base, an inclosing casing for said base, the 'former having an opening for ready insertion of the latter, a switch contactor carried by said casing for cooperation with the contacts of said base, a removable closure member :for the opening of saidcasing and line connected terminal devices carried by said. closure member to engage the terminals of said base.

13. In a circuit controller, the combination with a switch mechanism, of an inclosing casing therefor having a removable cover an inelosing casino' to give access to said mechanism, a terminal Vdevice carried by said removable cover for connection to the line wires and line terminals associated with said switch mechanism andstructurally independent of the contacts thereof to engage said terminal device on the cover ot said casing, said terminals being yieldable with respect to said device whereby removal ot said cover irom said casing serves to denergize the appliances contained therein.

14. Ina circuit controller, in combination, an inclosing fasing having a removable liront wall and a conductor opening in the rear wall thereof', a liat insulating base to be inserted within said casing from the front thereof and having a tubular portion adapted to itV within and: extend through said conductor opening, resilient terminals carried by said base adjacent the iront oi said casing, and line connected terminal devices carried by said removable front wall in such relation as to engage said terminals ol said base while said wall is secured in place and. to disengage said terminals upon removal of said Vall.

l5. .ln a circuit controller, in. combination,

b, a lat insulatiirg,r base secured therein, said base being divided vertically into resistance and contact carrying sections and provided at one end with an integral tubular portion projecting through a wall ot said casing to provide a conductor passage, resistance and contacts lixed to their respective portions et said base, said resistance being connected to certain oi said contacts and a movable contact supported within said casing to cooperate with said stationary contacts.

16. Inacireuit controller, in combination, a casing, a contact supporting base lixed therein, contacts fixed to said base, a shaft revolubly supported in'said casing, an arm fixed to said shaft, a cooperating contact :tor said lixed contacts pivotally suspended from said arm, said suspended contact teiuling to clear said fixed contacts in all positions of said arm and a spring surrounding said shaft with one end bearing against a iXed part and its other end bearing against said suspended contact member to bias said arm and to also bias said contact with respect to said arm.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name'. p

ALBERT J. HORTON. 

